Hearse



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. BURNS.

HEARSE.

(No Mode.)

No. 595,116. Patented Deo.7,1897.

W/TNE SES 4./

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J BURNS HEARSE.

(No Model.)

' /N VENTOI? BY I ATTORNEYS.

ivrrnn STATES PATnNr rricn.

JAMES BURNS, OF CINCINNATI, OIIIO.

HEARSE.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,116, dated December 7, 1897.

Application tiled May 28, 1897. Serial No. 638,530. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES BURNS, of Cincinnati, in the county of IIamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved llearse, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention is a hearse having a table to carry a casket, and that slides forward and backward and admits of very readily placing the casket in the hearse or removing the casket from the hearse.

This specification is the disclosure of two forms of my invention, while the claims define the actual scope of the conception.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention, with parts in section. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and enlarged over the scale thereof. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the invention on the line 4 4 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the invention on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. C is a eross-section of the invention on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 and reduced over the scale thereof, and Fig. 7 is a partly-sectional view showing a modified construction of the device for holding` the table for the casket.

The form of my invention shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3 is characterized by a full table 10, having secured to its under face brackets 11, projecting laterally beyond the side edges of the table 10 and each carryingtwo rollers, (designated as 12 and 13.) The rollers 12 have horizontal axes and run in grooves 14, formed in the moldings 15, that are produced at the sides of the hcarse and within the outer walls thereof. The rollers 13 bear against the inner faces of the moldings 15. The rollers 12 support the table 10, while the rollers 13 prevent lateral deviation thereof. The table 10 is held at all times in horizontalline with the upper faces of the moldings 15.

The table 10 has a series of plates 1G let into the upper surface thereof and carrying pins 17. The plates 16 are provided with a series of openings in which the pins may be removably seated, so that they may be adjusted to snit the size and position of the casket. The table 10 is also provided with carrying-rollers 1S, projecting slightly above the upper surface thereof and designed to have the casket rested thereon. The casket is shown by dotted lines'in Fig. 1. The rear edge of the table 10 has a roller 19 let into the same and designed to have the casket engaged with the roller as the casket is placed in or removed from the hearse. This construction permits the table 10 to be moved in and out of the hearse and allows the pallbearers all freedom of movement in depositing and removing the casket. The mounting of the table in the runways 14 and the other devices connected with these parts cause the table to be very strong and rigid and well adapted for the service that it is to perform.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 4, 5, and G the table 10 moves up and down, as well as forward and backward, the special purpose of which arrangement is to lower the table and thus decrease the height to which it is necessary to raise the casket. The table l0 has plates 1G, which, like the plates 16, are designed to receive pins 17. The table 10u has rollers 1S, that carry the casket, and has a roller 19a at the rear edge, on which the casket rolls in its passage to and from the table 10.

The under face of the table 10 is provided adjacent to each edge with four brackets 20, 21, 22, and 23. Each bracket 2O carries a roller 24 with a horizontal axis and a roller 25 with a vertical axis, and each bracket 21 carries a roller 26 with a horizontal axis and a roller 27 with a vertical axis. Each bracket 22 carries a roller 28 with a vertical axis and two rollers 2f) with horizontal axes, and each bracket 23 carries a roller 30 with a horizon tal axis and a roller 31 with a vertical axis. The rollers 25, 27, 2S, and 31 at each side of the table lOL are in longitudinal alinement and bear against the inner faces of the n'1old ings of the hearsc. The rollers 24 and 30 at each side of the table 10 are respectively in longitudinal alinement with each other, while the rollers 2G and 29 at each side of the table are out of alinement with each other.

The inner face of each molding 15n has four track-grooves, (designated as 32, 33, 34, and 35.) The track-grooves are at the rearends of the moldings 15L and near the upper faces hearse and in the vmoldings l5.

desired, a connection (indicated by the dotted ple 50, having its arms, one of which is longer thereof, these grooves 35 being comparatively short and receiving the rollers 30 as the table lOa is raised to its uppermost and forwardmost position. l/Vhen the table is drawn out, the rollers 30 are without support, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The rollers 29 run in the slots 34, which slots are next in forward contiguity to the slots 35, while the slots 33 carry the rollers 26 and are next in forward contiguity to the slots 34. The slots 32 carry the rollers 24 and are forwardmost of all the slots. The slots 32, 33, and 34 are of increased depth, so that theymay properly accommodate the brackets 2l and 22. The upper end of each slot has a horizontal portion in which the rollers for the slots are designed to rest when the table 10n is in its uppermost and forwardmost position. The brackets 22 have two rollers with horizontal axes, because a strong support is necessary at the points of the brackets 22, owing to the fact that they form the rearwardmost support for the table 10a when the table is extended to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This construction permits the table to be not only drawn out but to belowered, so that the pall-bearers may with great convenience place the casket upon the table. The rollers running in the several slots form a Avery easy bearing for the table and permit the table to be operated by the expenditure of but a slight amount of energy.

The tables lO and l0u may be Imoved in and out of the hearse by any desired devices, and this movement may be by manual force. If

lines 36 in Fig. 5) may be employed, so that manual force may be exerted from the dri vers seat for deeper inclines. X

In Fig. 7 is shown a device by which the table for the casket may be held steadily in place when the table is extended to receive the casket and also when the table is pushed in and the doors of the hearse are closed. The device shown in Fig. 7 consists in a stathan the other, removably seated in openings formed in the bottom or flooring 5l of the (See Fig. 3.) This staple is capable of embracing any of the brackets 20, 2i, 22, and 23 (shown in Fig. 3 5) and the brackets l1, (shown in Fig. 2,) byf which the brackets may be held securelyengaged and consequently steadily hold the ta- E ble for the casket. By adjusting the brackets the table may be held in any desired position. The table can also be taken out entirely for cleaning purposes.

Various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of my invention may be re- 7 sorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence I do not consider myself limited to the precise construction herein shown, but believe that I am entitled to all such variations as come within the terms of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination with parallel moldings having slots therein, of a full table movable between the moldings, brackets carried bythe table, vand rollers held in the brackets and running in the slots.

2. The combination with parallel moldings having guideways, of a full table movable between the moldings, brackets carried by the table, and rollers carried by the brackets and respectively running in the guideways.

3. A hearse having rigid moldings run parallel with each other at the sides of the hearse, each molding having a groove therein, a full table located between the moldings, brackets secu-red to the table, and two rollers carried by each bracket, one roller of each bracket running in a respective slot, and the second roller of each bracket bearing against the inner faces of the moldings.

4. The combination with moldings laid parallel with each, other and having grooves therein, of a full table movable between the moldings, brackets carried by the table, and

two rollers carried by each bracket, one roller of each bracket having a horizontal axis, and the second roller of each bracket having a vertical axis, the rollers with horizontal axes running in the grooves and the rollers with vertical axes bearing against the inner faces of the moldings.

5. A hearse having two moldings respectively'at the sides thereof, each molding having a plurality of inclined grooves formed therein, a full table located between the moldings, and rollers carried by the table and respectively runni-ng Ain the grooves whereby the table may slide with a combined up-anddown and forward-and-rearward movement.

6. A hearse having side members running longitudinally with the hearse and separated from each other, and a full table mounted between and supported by the side members, the table running. in guideways having a downward and rearward inclination whereby the table moves forward and rearward in and out of the hearse and downward as it approaches its outer position.

JAMEs BURNS.

Witnesses:

A. S. LUDLow, E. D. MILLER.

IOO

IIO 

